"Rattling irrationalist piano." WIRE
"Burn used his hour long show to coax a dazzling range of
tones, a fluid, musically persuasive set that eloquently skewered
pianistic orthodoxy." Jazz Times USA
"The day began with a solo concert by British pianist Chris
Burn; one of the highlights of the festival." Cadence USA
"He launced at times into forays that were both manic and
equally precise" Guardian

His initial musical experiences were as a trumpeter with the
brass band at the school where his parents taught. Trumpet
playing is still an important part of his life although for much
of his professional life he has devoted himself to developing a
new and personal language with the piano.

Following education at Surrey University where he studied
composition with Reginald Smith Brindle, Sebastian Forbes and
Robin Maconie, Chis Burn became involved in free improvisation. A
commitment to this way of working has stayed with him throughout
his career. He considers all his compositional work to be
informed by his experiences in this area of contemporary music
making. In 1984 he formed Ensemble, an octet of improvising
musicians whose work embraces some aspects of composition. This
group is still working today and has performed at many European
festivals and broadcast on radio and television.

On leaving University he made his living as a pianist,
conductor, arranger (particularly dance band scores) composer for
dance and teacher. At this time he developed what was to be a
life long interest in extending the sound world and performance
techniques of the piano. This lead to a complementary interest in
Cage, and particularly Cowell.

In 1993 he made a
solo CD of the music of Henry Cowell. This met with universal
critical acclaim. "Chris Burn, poised technician and trenchant
interpreter, is the most convincing Cowell champion I've heard."
(Andrew Porter, The Observer)

Although many of his early works were for large orchestral
forces, (including 3 evocations, premiered at St Johns, Smith
Square,) the last decade has seen a concentration on small
ensembles and pieces for solo piano. VICTO have released a
collection of solo piano pieces recorded at the 1996
Victoriaville festival, Canada. Other festivals where he has
performed his material include Ulrichsberg Kalaidaphon, FMP
Berlin, LMC London, Bochum Germany etc. Many of his ensemble
pieces have worked with notated material used in conjunction with
freely improvised material. For his work in composition he was
shortlisted for a Paul Hamlyn award in 1993. He has received many
other grants and prizes for his work.

He currently continues to give lectures and concerts of Cowell,
does a small amount of teaching, performs in many situations as a
free improviser, is preparing a new CD of Ensemble pieces and
continues to play 5 a side football.

2004 news
Tubulate have performed "hall of mirrors" in bangor, usa, russia, harlow and
RNCM. their new cd takes its title from chris burn's piece and features the
work.
Duo contour perform 'alles vergangliche' in germany in february.
Chris burn's arrangements of some derek bailey guitar solos for harp, violin
and cello are to be performed in london in the spring.
chris burn's ensemble are to play the 'freedom of the city' festival in london
in may.
the group have a new cd out on the polish musica genera label.

performances:
TUBULATE played "Hall of Mirrors" at Harlow - 20 & 21 March
2002
they will play this piece at Bangor Festival of new music on 9th
April 2003.
Philip Thomas has given a number of performances of "Only the
Snow..." and "As if as".
in rehearsal;
new piece for tpt and snare drum with Duo Contour (www.duocontour.com).